Maintaining your vehicle is an incredibly rewarding task and learning how to replace your spark plugs is a great place to start. There’s a good chance you will need to replace your old spark plugs several times while you own a a 2002 Subaru Outback. Spark plugs are one of the most critical parts inside your engine as they trigger the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Like most engine parts and components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need to be replaced, but fortunately this is a repair you can do yourself. Odds are, if you’ve found yourself here, you have no idea how to do that, or maybe you’d just like to know what kind of spark plugs you need to buy. The entire process of changing your spark plugs should take roughly 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you’ll need to know about your Subaru Outback’s spark plugs, whether you need some baseline information or a full, step-by-step guide to performing a spark plug change.
Correct spark plugs on a 2002 Subaru Outback
Recommended 2.5L H4 2002 Subaru Outback Spark Plugs
Recommended 3.0L H6 2002 Subaru Outback Spark Plugs
These spark plugs are an exact fit for their respective engines and will match the required specifications. Ensure you purchase the correct amount of spark plugs for your engine corresponding to the number of cylinders. Often, manufacturers will bundle spark plugs in quantities that make it nearly impossible to buy the exact amount you need for your engine. In this case, it is a good idea to purchase enough for your next two spark plug changes just so you will always have a new set ready to go. We always try to recommend the best possible spark plugs for the money, and these spark plugs are either a factory recomendation or an equivalent replacement available in today’s market at an affordable price.
How often should I change my spark plugs?
Generally, it is advised that you replace spark plugs once every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, please make sure to check your owner’s manual to determine the specific interval determined by Subaru for the 2002 Outback. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a Outback with some modifications, you may want to consider changing your spark plugs closer to the 20,000 miles end of that spectrum.
However, there are also classic signs of a car that needs a spark plug replacement prematurely, such as:
- Engine misfiring
- Rough idle
- Problems starting your engine
Consider that this list is certainly not comprehensive, and these problems on their own do not definitively point to the spark plugs being the standalone culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with routine maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your Subaru Outback’s spark plugs on a regular basis.
Changing spark plugs on a 2002 Subaru Outback
This is a process you can do on your own with some ordinary garage tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual or an equivalent Haynes or Chiltons manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.
Helpful Tools
- A spark plug tester – this is definitely a niche tool, but it can save you lots of time. Although we’ve discussed spark plug replacement being a good thing to replace regularly and not just when issues occur, you may also be replacing your spark plugs because of an issue. This tool can help you diagnose the exact problem.
- A torque wrench is a essential tool to have in your toolbox. You will want to check your FSM (factory service manual) to determine the correct torque rating to use when installing the new spark plugs for your 2002 Subaru Outback to be confident they are installed properly.
- A set of spark plug sockets – These come in extremely handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Also, some spark plug holes are a bit smaller, so it requires a thinner wall like the one featured in the product here to fit. The linked product also features a magnet to keep a good hold of the spark plug so you do not drop it into your engine bay!
- A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and modify it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if this is not the case, you should for sure have one of these.
- I also highly recommend you have a feeler gauge as it makes it a bit easier to check the exact gap, and it is useful for quite a few other jobs.
Tips for changing spark plugs on your 2002 Subaru Outback
- One of the most important things to remember is to avoid overtightening the plugs or worse, cracking them due to overtightenting. Use a torque wrench capable of lower, more precise torque ratings to be sure that you don’t make this mistake.
- It isn’t a bad idea to use dielectric grease when installing new spark plugs. You can apply a a tiny amount to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It prevents voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
- Before starting, remove the negative terminal of your battery. It is wise to disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Subaru Outback or any other vehicle.
- Your engine should be cold before you replace your spark plugs. You should wait at least 30 minutes after your engine has been running before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 2002 Subaru Outback
- Take this (unofficial advice) lightly as many spark plug manufacturers advise against the use of anti-seize. However, I have heard from numerous old-school mechanics that they always apply a tiny amount of anti-seize to the threads of their spark plugs, especially on older vehicles.